Paraphrasing B2 First Writing Part 1 questions can be tricky for many students due to exam stress and limited time. If you practice and have methods you can use, it makes it much easier in the test. Here are four points you should always remember.
Take Note
It is important to keep the meaning as close to the original as possible
If that is done, then the reader can read the essay without knowing what the question is. In other words, the essay can stand alone.
It is not necessary to change every word
If you change the form of the main words, then it preserves their meaning more accurately.
5 Paraphrasing Methods
Here are some ways to help you paraphrase quickly.
1 – Change the word order – sentence order and structure
For example –
| Original | Paraphrase |
| All young people who have the opportunity should study in a foreign school or college for a year. | If they have the opportunity, all young people should spend a year studying in a foreign college or school. |
2 – Change the Form
For example –
| Original | Paraphrase |
| should study for a year | should spend a year studying |
| Original | Paraphrase |
| you don’t need much money | A lot of money isn’t needed |
3 – Synonyms
(Preferably word to phrase, because word to word often leads to a slightly different meaning)
For example –
| Original | Paraphrase |
| Many museums charge for admission while others are free. | Numerous museums require visitors to pay an admission fee, while others do not. |
4 – Change from active to passive
(Do not say – it is believed that….)
For example:
| Original | Paraphrase |
| Some people say the fashion industry has a bad effect on people’s lives. | It is said that the fashion industry has a bad effect on people’s lives. |
5 – Change positive to negative
For example –
| Original | Paraphrase |
| Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to make it a legal requirement. | Some say that not recycling household waste should become illegal to encourage people to recycle more. |
Examples
- In your English class you have been talking about the importance of teamwork. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Is it better to do things with other people or to do them on your own?
Paraphrase – It is debatable whether it is best to work individually or in a team
in your English class you have been talking about the importance of money in the modern world. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Some people say you don’t need much money to be happy.
Paraphrase – It is questionable whether a lot of money is needed to be happy in the modern world.
- In your English class you have been talking about the importance of friendship. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
What are the most important things we need to do to make and keep friends?
Paraphrase – The essentials of starting and maintaining friendships are debatable.
- In your English class you have been talking about the advantages and disadvantages of using social media websites. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Do we share too much personal information on social media websites?
Paraphrase – It is questionable whether sharing private information on social media is beneficial or not.
- In your English class you have been talking about young people’s interest in local, national or international news. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Is it important to follow national and international events in the news?
Paraphrase – It is a contentious issue whether following national and international news is important or not.
- In your English class you have been talking about the effect of the internet on ways of learning. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Some people say you can learn almost everything from the internet nowadays.
Paraphrase – These days, some believe that the internet can teach users almost anything.
- In your English class you have been talking about how much admiration television, sports and other celebrities deserve. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Do celebrities deserve the admiration they receive?
Paraphrase – It is often discussed whether media, sports and other celebrities attract too much attention.
- In your English class you have been talking about modern entertainment. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Some people say that young people can only entertain themselves in front of a screen.
Paraphrase – Using some kind of a screen is essential for youngsters to entertain themselves, some say.
I hope that gives you some good ideas for paraphrasing in Cambridge B2 First Task 1. remember, keep on practicing and you will only get better.